When it comes to putting smiles on children’s faces, nobody knows quite how to get the job done like Disney Junior. Both my boys used to love the fun and engaging shows on the popular channel, from the adventurous Jake in Jake and the Never Land Pirates to clever Oso the bear from Special Agent Oso. Now, just in time for Christmas, Disney Junior is making the holidays happier for kids and easier for parents with themed toys that little fans are sure to love!

We received the Disney Junior Jake and the Never Land Pirates Mighty Colossus playset to check out for ourselves, and Zackary and Benjamin decided to give their own opinions on why it makes such a great Christmas gift. While the shooting cannon is a big part of the appeal, the fact that the ship rolls around is also tons of fun for kids. Any parent with speed-crazy boys in the house will know just how appealing racing around a new toy can be! [Read more…]

A few months ago I learned about the Shaw Go service available to Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct customers; a collection of apps that lets Shaw subscribers watch their favourite shows on portable devices when away from the house. Benjamin immediately fell in love with the kid-friendly apps that the company offered and now, Shaw has made Shaw Go even better for families with the introduction of three new children’s apps for iPhone and Android: Shaw Go Disney XD, Shaw Go Family and Shaw Go Disney Junior!

My boys were all too eager to test out the new apps and I knew that Benjamin would be especially excited about the Shaw Go Disney Junior app. Some of his favourite shows are on this channel and seeing his eyes light up when he saw programming including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso was so much fun. He immediately started exploring his options and even discovered a new favourite cartoon to love, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear. He’s been talking about the show for days now!

I love absolutely everything about Christmas, from the music to the lights to the food to the decorations. And one of my very favourite Christmas activities is watching Christmas specials with Zackary and Benjamin. I have to admit, I don’t actually watch a lot of television for the most part. But when December rolls around, I can’t resist spending a cozy evening watching fun holiday shows with my boys.

Disney Junior is making that easier than ever with a full month of holiday content, and I can’t wait for it to start! The fun kicks off this Saturday, December 7th at 11:00am EST with a special extended episode of Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse, with an encore presentation on Sunday, December 8th at 3:50pm EST. The best part is that the special features guest appearances by Winnie the Pooh, Aladdin, Snow White and other Disney friends! Seeing a favourite character in a holiday special always feels like the official start of the Christmas season to me! [Read more…]

The weather is chilly and kids can’t play outside as much now that November has arrived, but Disney Junior has a month packed with fun to keep kids feeling warm, cozy and entertained! It kicks off with brand new episodes of Strawberry Shortcake every Sunday at 5:30 EST, featuring the adventures of the residents of Berry Bitty City and a brand new friend, Huckleberry Pie.

Then, on Sunday, November 10, Belle from Beauty and the Beast makes a special appearance on Sofia the First at 11:30 am EST! Sofia’s magical amulet bestows a curse upon her after she becomes a bit too boastful about being chosen to sing the Enchancian Anthem at the Harvest Festival. Luckily, Sofia gets a special visit from Princess Belle who offers her some advice.

One of the things I love about Sofia the First is the way it helps teach life lessons through Sofia’s own experiences. Just like Sofia, my boys often learn lessons about life through their interaction with others. Benjamin, as the youngest child, has a tendency to be a bit spoiled. So when his two-year-old cousin came to visit, it gave me a great opportunity to enforce the idea of sharing his toys. My poor four-year-old had a hard time at first, but soon learned that when he stopped worrying about who was touching his toys, he could have more fun playing with his cousin! [Read more…]

I love celebrating almost any holiday and I’ve sometimes even been known to find obscure holidays or invent my own traditions just as an excuse to celebrate and have fun with my boys. But of all the holidays throughout the year, Halloween is easily one of my favourites. I have a tendency to go overboard with decorations, costumes, treats and food, but my boys have so much fun that I just can’t help myself. From elaborately decorated pumpkins to a yard filled with homemade Halloween décor to spook-tastic meals and treats, there are just so many easy ways to make Halloween extra festive!

And this year, Disney Junior is giving families one more way to get in the Halloween spirit with an entire month of Halloween specials! Tune into Disney Junior weeknights at 6pm EST for brand new Halloween-themed episodes of all your child’s favourite shows including Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Sofia the First, Stella and Sam and many more! And to really get your child ready for spooky fun, Disney Junior is airing Halloween episodes all day on October 30 and 31!

But that’s not all! Visit the Big Halloween Party section on the Disney Junior website to find Halloween colouring pages, fun printable crafts and even templates to carve your very own Disney Junior pumpkins! I have a feeling the Mickey Mouse pumpkin is going to be a part of our Halloween décor this year! And while you’re enjoying creating spooky decorations for your house, why not whip up a fun Halloween snack for your kids? My personal favourite is this easy Ghost Toast, especially since it’s so simple the boys can make it themselves!